Design, development and permeation studies of nebivolol hydrochloride from novel matrix type transdermal patches

Nebivolol hydrochloride is a third generation b-blocker with highly selective β1 -receptor antagonist with antihypertensive properties having plasma half life of 10 h and 12% oral bioavailability. The aim of the present investigation was to form matrix type transdermal patches containing Nebivolol hydrochloride to avoid its extensive hepatic first pass metabolism, lesser side effect and increase bioavailability of drug.

Matrix type transdermal patches containing Nebivolol hydrochloride were prepared using EudragitRS100, HPMC K100M (2:8) polymers by solvent evaporation technique. Aluminum foil was used as a backing membrane. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400 was used as plasticizer and Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was used as a penetration enhancer. Drug polymer interactions determined by FTIR and standard calibration curve of Nebivolol hydrochloride were determined by using UV estimation.

The systems were evaluated physicochemical parameters and drug present in the patches was determined by scanning electron microscopy. All prepared formulations indicated good physical stability. In vitro drug permeation studies of formulations were performed by using Franz diffusion cells using abdomen skin of Wistar albino rat. Result showed best in vitro skin permeation through rat skin as compared to all other formulations prepared with hydrophilic polymer containing permeation enhancer.

It was observed that the formulation containing HPMC: EudragitRS100 (8:2) showed ideal higuchi release kinetics. On the basis of in vitro drug release through skin permeation performance, Formulation F1 was found to be better than other formulations and it was selected as the optimized formulation.